New Poll: HSUS Continues to Dupe Donors

Evidence continues to mount that the Humane Society of the United States is betraying its donors’ trust. Last week we reported that HSUS internal polls showed the vast majority of HSUS donors believe their contributions to HSUS are used to fund local animal shelters. Now this week, new polling data reinforces our assertion that HSUS is knowingly misleading its donors.

We recently asked 1,051 HSUS donors why they support the Humane Society of the United States, and the results of the survey are very revealing. Over 80% of the HSUS donors said that the primary reason they support HSUS is “to help HSUS care for homeless dogs and cats in animal shelters” and to “reduce the number of animals put down in shelters each year.” We then asked the logical follow up question—“were you aware that HSUS gives just 1 percent of its budget to local pet shelters?” Over 87% of HSUS donors answered “No.” Also, HSUS does not run a single pet shelter of its own and is not affiliated with similarly named local humane societies.

And that’s not all. After learning that HSUS only gives 1% of its budget to local animal shelters, 75% of HSUS donors are less likely to support HSUS. Lastly, 95% of HSUS donors agreed that HSUS should be required to disclose the fact that is not affiliated with local humane societies in its advertising.

The results of our survey are disappointing, but not surprising. Based on the fact that 75% of our survey respondents are now less likely to support HSUS, it is clear that HSUS’s financial support is almost entirely dependent on its ability to continue this hoax. HSUS is in no rush to clear up the widespread confusion it has with its donors. That’s why we’re here.

Survey Results Below:

What is the primary reason you support the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)?

Count Percent Option

421 40.10% To help HSUS care for homeless dogs and cats in animal shelters and humane societies.

45 4.29% To help HSUS’s animal rescue team.

96 9.14% To raise awareness about animal cruelty

430 40.95% To reduce the number of animals put down in shelters each year.

4 0.38% To support HSUS’s farm animal protection programs.

54 5.14% To support HSUS’s political lobbying for anti-animal cruelty legislation.

1050 Total

Were you aware that HSUS gives just 1 percent of its budget to local pet shelters?

Count Percent Option

129 12.31% Yes

919 87.69% No

1048 Total

Were you aware that HSUS is not affiliated with any local humane societies?

Count Percent Option

203 19.35% Yes

846 80.65% No

1049 Total

Were you aware that HSUS doesn’t run any pet shelters?

Count Percent Option

180 17.26% Yes

863 82.74% No

1043 Total

Now that you know that HSUS gives just one percent of its budget to local pet shelters, do you think the HSUS misleads people into thinking that it supports local humane societies and pet shelters?

Count Percent Option

787 74.88% Very Much

183 17.41% Somewhat

48 4.57% Not really

33 3.14% Not at all

1051 Total

Now that you know that HSUS gives just one percent of its budget to local pet shelters, are you more or less likely to support HSUS?

Count Percent Option

32 3.05% Much More Likely

35 3.34% More Likely

195 18.61% Neither

262 25.00% Less Likely

524 50.00% Much Less Likely

1048 Total

Do you think HSUS should be required to disclose in its advertising the fact that it is not affiliated with local humane societies?

Count Percent Option

999 95.78% Yes

44 4.22% No

1043 Total

Do you think HSUS should be required to disclose in its advertising the fact that just 1 percent of the money it raises will go to local pet shelters?

Count Percent Option

995 95.31% Yes

49 4.69% No

1044 Total

Do you think HSUS should be required to disclose in its advertising the fact that it does not run any pet shelters?